First public auction of a Porsche RS Spyder set for Pebble Beach

RS Spyder produced for American Le Mans Series, 718 RSK Spyder raced at Le Mans, and more, to be auctioned by Gooding & Company at Pebble Beach sale

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An unprecedented public auction of a Porsche RS Spyder Le Mans prototype racer is set for Gooding & Company’s Pebble Beach sale in August, joined by other historic Spyder models in the same sale.

The RS Spyder was developed for the 2005 American Le Mans Series – the company’s first foray into prototype racing since its 911 GT1 programme had come to a close in 1999.

Chassis 9R6.706 is an especially rare example of the already extremely limited production run of the RS Spyder, as – unlike most of its cousins – 706 did not turn a wheel in active competition during the RS Sypder’s in-period racing career.

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CET Solaroli Motorsports’ attempts to enter its RS Spyder into competition failed to materialise, leading to a more gentle life of appearances in historic sports car meetings such as the Rennsport Reunion and Monterey Motorsports Reunion in 2015 and 2016 respectively. Although the car was previously bedecked in CET Solaroli colours, it is now being sold in bare carbon-fibre bodywork form.

For those more interested in a Porsche Spyder with deeper racing provenance, a 550 Spyder with in-period racing action under its belt has also joined the auction lot list, valued at between $4,000,000–$5,000,000.

1950s sports car racer Eldon Beagle used chassis 550-0053 throughout his 1956 campaign, featuring frequently in events organised by the Sports Car Club of America including at Pebble Beach itself.

While it failed to win any races that year, nor in its lone race in 1955, 550-0053 did rack up seven podium finishes in 1956. Beagle liked his first 550 Spyder so much, he went on to buy another before selling the one currently up for auction.

Also featured in the Gooding & Company sale is an ex-Le Mans 24-hours Porsche 718 RSK Spyder from 1959, raced by Ed Hugus. Its competition history is a varied one, complementing its Le Mans provenance with appearances at Pikes Peak and several SCCA races. It is expected to sell in the region of $3,600,000–$4,100,000 come August.

Less interested in racing cars than in something that can be used on the open road? A unique Bertone-bodied 911 Spyder is likely to be up your street, estimated to sell for between $700,000–$1,000,000.

Porsche enlisted Nuccio Bertone himself to design a convertible version of the 911 for the 1966 Geneva Motor Show. Given a direct choice between it and the 911 Targa, the company went with the latter, leaving this the only Bertone-bodied 911 ever made.

‘It is truly exciting to have these significant Porsche Spyders, that are not only rare competition or one-off coachbuilt examples, but also represent the lineage of the Spyder,’ surmised David Gooding, eponymous founder and president of Gooding & Company.